Weisscam Builds Soha PlatformWeisscam GmbH has launched Soha, an advanced technology platform that offers total scalability while greatly extending the life cycle of the camera to which it is applied. Going forward, every Weisscam T-Cam will be equipped with Soha hardware.

The 5D Mark III includes new H.264 video-compression formats to simplify and speed up postproduction work while giving users options to help achieve their ideal workflow; intraframe (ALL-I) compression offers an editing-friendly format and interframe (IPB) compression provides superior data-storage efficiency. The camera also includes two methods of SMPTE-compliant time-code embedding, Rec Run and Free Run, allowing video footage from multiple cameras and separate audio recordings to be easily synced together in post.

The new full-frame CMOS sensor and Digic 5+ processor have enhanced the camera’s image-processing performance over the 5D Mark II, significantly reducing moiré and color artifacts in scenes with horizontal lines and improving HD video quality. The 5D Mark III is also capable of recording video continuously for up to 29 minutes and 59 seconds across multiple 4GB files. Additionally, the camera boasts automatic file splitting and the extended memory capacity offered by dual card slots.

The 5D Mark III includes manual audio-level control with 64 levels, adjustable both before and during movie recording. There is also an automatic audio-level setting, and sound recording can be turned off entirely. A wind filter is also included. Sound can be recorded either through the internal monaural microphone or via an optional external microphone through the stereo mic input. The 5D Mark III is the first EOS DSLR to feature a built-in headphone jack for real-time audio monitoring during video capture.

The 5D Mark III features a rugged camera body with magnesium-alloy body covers and a stainless-steel lens mount. The camera boasts a dust- and moisture-resistant design with improved gaskets and seals. Additionally, the 5D Mark III’s newly developed shutter unit has a durability rating of 150,000 exposures, and shutter-release lag time has been reduced to 59 milliseconds.

The camera’s 3.2" Clear View II LCD screen, the same as is featured on the EOS-1D X, boasts 1,040,000-dot resolution. The camera’s optical viewfinder has been upgraded to approximately 100-percent coverage, and it features an Intelligent Viewfinder display with an optional grid on demand.

For better file management, especially when working with multiple cameras, the 5D Mark III supports custom file names. The camera accepts both Compact Flash Type 1 and SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards in a dual-card-slot configuration. Three recording methods are supported: record the same data to both cards, record different file sizes or types to each card, or automatically switch to the second card when the first card is full.

The 5D Mark III uses the same LP-E6 lithium-ion battery pack as other popular EOS cameras. Battery life is estimated at 950 exposures at normal temperatures, an improvement of 100 exposures compared to the 5D Mark II. The Mark III camera body weighs approximately 33.5 ounces with a battery installed, and the dimensions are approximately 6.0"x4.6"x3.0".

Canon has also introduced a number of optional accessories for the 5D Mark III, including the Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E7A, which connects to the camera through its USB port and includes a built-in gigabit Ethernet connection, time syncing for multiple cameras on the same network, FTP mode, EOS Utility mode, WFT Server mode and Media Server mode; the GPS Receiver GP-E2, which connects via the accessory shoe or a USB cable and logs latitude, longitude, elevation and Universal Time Code; and Battery Grip BG-E11, which accepts one or two LP-E6 lithium-ion battery packs or a set of six AA batteries.

The EOS 5D Mark III DSLR is available in a body-only configuration for an estimated retail price of $3,499; the camera is also available with Canon’s EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM zoom lens in a kit for an estimated retail price of $4,299. The Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E7A has an estimated retail price of $849.99. The GPS Receiver GP-E2 has an estimated retail price of $390. Finally, the Battery Grip BG-E11 has an estimated retail price of $490.

JVC’s Falconbrid LSI processing takes raw image data from the camera’s CMOS sensor and deBayers it in real time. Unlike many high-end 4K cameras, the GY-HMQ10 is able to output 4K images to a monitor or projection system in real time with virtually no latency.

Using MPEG-4 technology and a variable bit rate H.264 codec operating at up to 144 Mbps, the GY-HMQ10 records up to two hours of 4K video to economical SDHC or SDXC memory cards.

In addition to 4K imaging, the GY-HMQ10 also captures and records 1080i or 1080/60p Full HD, with extraordinary detail provided by its 8.3 megapixel imager. HD is recorded on a single memory card in a format compatible with most editing systems. Additionally, a “trimming” feature enables easy cropping of an HD image from a 4K frame using the camera’s touch-panel LCD monitor.

Similar in size to JVC’s GY-HM150 ProHD camcorder, the GY-HMQ10 includes a built-in f2.8 10x zoom lens with optical image stabilizer, as well as a color viewfinder and 3.5" touch LCD monitor with a new, intuitive user interface. The camera is also equipped with manual level controls for audio, with audio metering in the LCD and viewfinder displays. A microphone holder and two balanced XLR connectors with phantom power are located on the handle. The camera is equipped with a built-in stereo mic for ambient sound pickup.

Other features include JVC’s patented Focus Assist, as well as manual and auto control of focus, iris, gain, shutter, gamma, color matrix and white balance. Additionally, the camera is capable of live 4K output via four HDMI terminals.

Panasonic has introduced the HDC-Z10000 professional 3-D camcorder, the company’s first integrated twin-lens 2-D/3-D camcorder that is fully compatible with the AVCHD 3D/Progressive standard. Based on the AVCHD format, which offers high-quality, efficient compression and excellent compatibility, AVCHD 3D/Progressive uses Multiview Video Coding to record and play 3-D images via the Frame Sequential Method, assuring frame-by-frame beautiful results.

Capable of a close-focus distance of approximately 17.7" while maintaining an equivalent 32mm wide angle of view, the Z10000 incorporates Panasonic’s unique Double 3MOS System, which produces superb color and detail reproduction. Its advanced imaging system combines two large-diameter f1.5 lenses featuring a special Nano Surface Coating technology. With the two high-sensitivity 3MOS sensors (with an effective pixel count of 6.57 megapixels each) that are independently mounted left and right, the Double 3MOS system creates Full HD 3-D video content; the same level of performance is also provided for 2-D images, allowing remarkable 2-D image quality in combination with 1920x1080 60p recording.

The Z10000 features a 1,152,000-dot 3.5" 3-D LCD that requires no 3-D eyewear to view. The user can check 3-D images while shooting by having it in the Mix Overlay mode, and focus is then easily achieved by using the left eye only. The display can also be switched between 2-D and 3-D.

The camera’s new f1.5 lenses excel in low-light conditions. The Nano Surface Coating significantly reduces ghosting and flare to produce, crisp, clear image rendering. Three independent manual rings allow fine adjustment for the focus, zoom and iris to create precisely the intended image, and a dedicated dial allows the user to finely adjust 3-D convergence. Functions that are frequently used for recording, such as O.I.S. on/off, Color Bar on/off, Zebra Pattern Display, 3-D Guide Display, Auto/Manual Iris, Auto/Manual Focus and Auto/Manual White Balance, are also arranged on the side of the camera body as separate buttons to enable quick, intuitive operation.

The camcorder features a 0.45" 1,226,880-dot EVF for high-resolution images and high-speed response. Advanced image-tuning functions, such as gamma mode, knee point, detail, detail coring, chroma levels, chroma phase and master pedestal, can be applied for greater expressive control. The Z10000 also incorporates powerful hand-shake correction in both 2-D and 3-D.

In addition to built-in microphones for recording Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround sound/2-channel stereo, the Z10000 boasts two XLR audio inputs with a 48-volt phantom power supply, as well as support for uncompressed linear PCM (two-channel only).

The Z10000 features dual SD card slots that can be deployed for either relay or backup recording in a variety of recording modes: NTSC, AVCHD 3D (1080/60i, 1080/24p and 1080/30p), AVCHD 3D/Progressive (1080/60p) and AVCHD (1080/24p, 1080/30p and 1080/60i PH/HA/HE). Other professional functions include time code, time-lapse recording and Still Picture Recording.

Nikon Corp. has introduced the D800 digital SLR camera. The D800 features an FX-format CMOS image sensor and boasts an effective pixel count of 36.3-million pixels. The camera is equipped with Nikon’s new EXPEED 3 image-processing engine and a 91,000-pixel RGB sensor for exceptional image quality. Additionally, the camera features a standard sensitivity range of ISO 100-6,400, with additional support for equivalents of ISO 50 (Lo 1) and up to ISO 25,600 (Hi 2).

The D800 supports the recording of 1920x1080p/30 fps Full HD movies, and users can choose to record using either the FX- or DX-based movie format. The FX-based format offers a shallow depth-of-field with an emphasis on blur characteristics, while the DX-based format enables recording of movies that bring subjects closer when lenses with short focal lengths are used.

The D800 is equipped with a headphone jack and supports precise adjustment of microphone sensitivity. In addition, it supports simultaneous display of movies or the live-view display in the camera monitor and on an external monitor. Featuring CompactFlash and SD dual memory card slots, the D800 also allows video footage to be recorded directly to an external HDMI recorder. The camera also offers a time-lapse photography function.

The viewfinder supports a frame coverage of approximately 100 percent and magnification of approximately 0.7x. The 3.2", approximately 921,000-dot LCD monitor features reinforced glass, automatic brightness control and a wide viewing angle.

Sony has introduced the Alpha 57 digital SLR camera, the latest addition to its line of A-mount cameras that employ Translucent Mirror Technology. A natural successor to Sony’s Alpha 55 camera, the Alpha 57 can shoot still images at up to 12 fps, capture full HD video at 60p, 60i or 24p, and has a variety of creative modes, including Auto Portrait Framing.

Ensuring detail-packed images, the 16.1 effective megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor is teamed with a latest-generation Bionz engine. Refined by Sony during the development of the company’s flagship Alpha 77 and high-end Alpha 65 cameras, this powerful processor effortlessly handles large amounts of image data for flawless, low-noise images and Full HD video. Additionally, thanks to the Bionz processor, the Alpha 57 boasts a sensitivity range of ISO 100-16,000.

The innovative Translucent Mirror design directs incoming light to the CMOS image sensor and the auto-focus sensor at the same time, allowing full-time, continuous auto focus during both still and video shooting. Users can also frame, focus and preview shots in real time on the high-resolution Tru-Finder electronic viewfinder, which offers a wide viewing angle and 100-percent field of view. The Tru-Finder also features a choice of selectable high-resolution information displays, including a digital level gauge and framing grid. Information can be displayed either directly in the viewfinder or on the angle-adjustable 7.5cm Xtra Fine LCD display.

Responsive full-time continuous phase detection AF ensures that moving subjects stay sharply focused when shooting both stills and video. The Alpha 57 supports the AVCHD version 2.0 (progressive) format, and movie-making options are further enhanced with full control over P/A/S/M shooting modes.

The Alpha 57 interchangeable lens camera is available with an 18-55mm kit zoom lens for $800; it is also offered as a body only for $700.

London studio One of Us has unveiled the small-form-factor One-Cam camera system. The One-Cam has been developed with an understanding of the entire filmmaking process, from shooting through post, with an eye toward the color science required to make great digital images.

Measuring 70mm x 70mm x 50mm and weighing less than 12 ounces, the One-Cam enables users to shoot in incredibly small spaces and in a less intrusive way than with a traditional film camera. Compatible with C-mount, PL-mount and Nikon-mount lenses, the camera head is tethered to a One-Cam recorder via standard Ethernet cable; the recorder is approximately the size of a 16mm camera body.

The One-Cam utilizes a single CCD, providing a greater sensor area devoted to gathering light, and a true global shutter, resulting in high sensitivity and detail with no motion artifacts. With variable frame rates up to 30 fps, the One-Cam captures uncompressed 12-bit raw at a resolution of 2336x1752 pixels, with an exposure rating of 500 ASA and a dynamic range of at least 9 stops.

Weisscam GmbH has launched Soha, an advanced technology platform that offers total scalability while greatly extending the life cycle of the camera to which it is applied. Going forward, every Weisscam T-Cam will be equipped with Soha hardware.

“We always wanted to develop a platform that outlasts the short product cycles that are current within the industry,” says cinematographer Stefan Weiss, CEO of Weisscam. “With our Soha platform, we can build cameras that are long lasting, extendable, flexible and always easy to use.”

“We see it as our responsibility to simplify the application of high technology so that even first-time users find our products completely intuitive,” says Weiss. “The T-Cam with Soha is the embodiment of this concept and completely empowers the creative process, enabling filmmakers to maintain total focus and immersion in their passion: making films!”

OptiTrack has introduced the Flex 13 motion-capture camera, which boasts 1.3 million pixels of resolution, a 120-fps sample rate and a 56-degree field of view.

The combination of its expansive field of view and 1.3 megapixel sensor allows the Flew 13 to track complex, multiple-actor scenes with an exceptional volume-to-setup ratio. When deployed with the stock 56-degree lens in a standard 20'x20' arrangement, the camera can attain an active capture area that is among the largest in the industry, which allows for extensive capture volumes even in modest tracking environments.